Living On Paper - Letters From Iris Murdoch 1934-1995 [book Of The Week]

Duration

Genre

Station

Series

Book of the Week

Duration

15 Minutes

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Repeated

Comments

01

20151123

20151124 (R4)

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

02

20151124

20151125 (R4)

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

03

20151125

20151126 (R4)

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

04

04

20151126

20151127 (R4)

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters. The Frenchman was her muse and, in Murdoch's chaotic private life, perhaps the one constant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters. The Frenchman was her muse and, in Murdoch's chaotic private life, perhaps the one constant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

05

05

20151127

20151128 (R4)

For many years, Iris Murdoch's relationship with Brigid Brophy was a volatile one.

Iris Murdoch and Brigid Brophy had an intimate friendship for many years, but Murdoch's letters reveal how volatile the relationship could be.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

Iris Murdoch and Brigid Brophy had an intimate friendship for many years, but Murdoch's letters reveal how volatile the relationship could be.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

For many years, Iris Murdoch's relationship with Brigid Brophy was a volatile one.

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Repeated

Comments

01

20151123

20151124 (R4)

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Letters from Iris Murdoch's early years as an undergraduate, full of hope and idealism.

Throughout her life, Iris Murdoch wrote thousands of letters. Mostly to friends and lovers. This episode focuses on her years as an Oxford undergraduate when she was full of hope and political idealism.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

02

20151124

20151125 (R4)

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch worked at the Treasury during the war but kept in touch with Frank Thompson.

In this episode, which embraces the years 1942-1944 when Murdoch was working at the Treasury, the letters to her Oxford friend, Frank Thompson, are particularly poignant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

03

20151125

20151126 (R4)

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938, but they kept in touch.

Iris Murdoch had not seen David Hicks since 1938 when they were both at Oxford, but she continued to write until, in November 1945, they finally met up again. This time in London and with dramatic consequences.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

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20151126

20151127 (R4)

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters. The Frenchman was her muse and, in Murdoch's chaotic private life, perhaps the one constant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters.

For 30 years, the French writer Raymond Queneau and Iris Murdoch exchanged letters. The Frenchman was her muse and, in Murdoch's chaotic private life, perhaps the one constant.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

05

05

20151127

20151128 (R4)

For many years, Iris Murdoch's relationship with Brigid Brophy was a volatile one.

Iris Murdoch and Brigid Brophy had an intimate friendship for many years, but Murdoch's letters reveal how volatile the relationship could be.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

Iris Murdoch and Brigid Brophy had an intimate friendship for many years, but Murdoch's letters reveal how volatile the relationship could be.

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to Hughes and Rene Murdoch. While still a baby the family moved to west London. In 1938, Murdoch won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read classics. After gaining her first-class degree, wartime work in the Treasury ensued before, in 1944, she joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was posted to Belgium and Austria, where she worked helping those displaced by the war.

Murdoch left UNRRA in 1946 and, after a year's postgraduate studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, was appointed as a philosophy tutor at At Anne's College, Oxford. In 1954, while still at St Anne's, Murdoch debut novel Under The Net was published.

In a writing career that spanned over 40 years, Murdoch published 26 novels, five books on philosophy, six plays and two books of poetry. Her novel The Sea, The Sea won the 1978 Booker Prize and, in 1987, she was made a Dame. She remains one of the most celebrated British novelists of the 20th century.

The music used on this programme is Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds

Living On Paper: Letters From Iris Murdoch 1935-1995

Editors: Avril Horner and Anne Rowe

Readers: Imogen Stubbs and Nigel Anthony

Abridger: Pete Nichols

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4.

For many years, Iris Murdoch's relationship with Brigid Brophy was a volatile one.